Landlords of Evans sites will be contacted over the next few days to discuss the future of individual stores.

It emerged Evans was eyeing a rescue deal in September, when the retailer held talks with its lenders to seek an urgent capital injection.

Advisers at PwC were then brought in to oversee a sales process, with Halfords and JD Sports also touted as potential buyers.

Matt Callaghan, joint administrator and PwC partner, said: "2018 has been a very difficult trading year for the business, in part due to the impact of the extended winter weather in the early part of the year and a lack of cash to invest in stores and develop the online platform.

"A combination of losses, the capital expenditure requirements and tightening credit has led to a liquidity crunch."